Crazy Wisdom

The Life and TimeS of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche

Explores the arrival of Tibetan Buddhism in America through the story of Chogyam Trungpa, who landed in the U.S. in 1970. Trungpa became renowned for translating ancient Buddhist concepts into language and ideas that Westerners could understand and shattered preconceived notions about how an enlightened teacher should behave. Initially rejected, his teachings are now recognized by western philosophers and spiritual leaders as authentic and profound.

Opinion

From the critics

Community Activity

Comment

Great sceneries of Tibet and the people! The historical reels of the Chinese takeover of the Tibet!
Chogyam was a thinker, a philosopher! He was and is original! He is a good subject to study! His innovative methods of trying to bring the Buddhist philosophy relevant to the Western mindset deserve a detailed study! He was also different from his fellow monks in Tibet! He discouraged the mindless mantra repetitions! HIs meditations were legendary. He is and was difficult to comprehend at times! The cultural divide and philosophy of the Western people and the Buddhist monks are very vast! He worked very hard to make it all relevant!
It is obvious that he was revered to the god-like statue almost!
He lived his life to the fullest, despite the very serious car crash he had and the resulting paralysis! He did recover, but retained partial paralysis!
He was married with kids! Yet, he was unfaithful, and had a serious drinking problem later!
There are gaps in the narrative. It was never made clear why he got ill again and died! Although, it can be assumed it had something to do with the previous accident! His funeral was a big public event! It was done with the Buddhist monks and the dignitaries!
He didn't seem to make the emotional connections with his family! Due to his monastery upbringing, perhaps??
This documentary leaves questions unanswered.
It could have been better, I suppose! Yet, it seems that the Director had limited information available to her to begin with, and she possibly made the best of it!